A scientist living in New York, Royte wonders where our garbage goes. She begins by sorting and measuring her own waste, then follows the streams of tA scientist living in New York, Royte wonders where our garbage goes. She begins by sorting and measuring her own waste, then follows the streams of trash with the garbage trucks out to our landfills, recycling plants, and overseas where some of our vast amounts of consumer crap wind up. The depressing reality of the waste stream in the United States can’t quite be leavened by her engaging and funny writing style. She rides along with the garbage men (a more dangerous and deadly job than being a cop), visits compost heaps, landfills, recycling centers, incinerators, and clean-up parties along the water. I’ve been quoting her work regularly. More gold in a cell phone than in a ton of ore (100 million cell phones are discarded in the U.S. each year). Lots of our electronics and computer waste is shipped to places like China, where they are scavenged by the poor, placed in open vats of acid, and have their precious metals harvested by hand. It takes 1.8 tons of raw material to make a computer and monitor. Most horrifically, if you believe in recycling, only 2% of this country’s waste comes from municipalities. In other words, every household in the U.S. could recycle everything they used and it wouldn’t change much. Royte also, in meek (but still better than nothing) counterpoint, gives us the figures on what recycling and reuse saves on energy, raw materials, etc. Royte is too hopeful, given the picture she presents, but I’d recommend this book to everyone...more

Here we have an ingenious book that purports to offer a plant’s eye view of the world. By turning the usual question around—how humans affect nature—,Here we have an ingenious book that purports to offer a plant’s eye view of the world. By turning the usual question around—how humans affect nature—, Pollan asks what apples, potatoes, tulips, and marijuana achieved for their species by using us. Quite brilliant, really, because this conceit easily leads the reader to view humyns as a part of nature, rather than standing outside of it with an eye to exploitation. This shift in view alone makes the book worthwhile, but you get much more: history of the apple in North America through the story of Johnny Appleseed (and how he was a part of colonization as a land speculator), history of the tulip and the tulip craze that once gripped Holland, potato’s history and economic effects as well as a delving into genetically modified plants and attendant issues, and some interesting news about cannabis and THC. As if all this wasn’t enough, Pollan throws in, like a free gift with your purchase, his comfortable writing style, personal stories, and sense of humor. Highly recommended....more

With 95% of the United States’ “frontier” forests gone, and much of the rest of the world’s disappearing, this book is a last cry to get people awareWith 95% of the United States’ “frontier” forests gone, and much of the rest of the world’s disappearing, this book is a last cry to get people aware and motivated to stop the slaughter of the forests, and the concomitant genocide of native peoples and other land-based societies. Tinged with despair, it describes the interlocking machine of consumption, corporations, governments, globalization, colonialism, and genocide that is steadily pillaging the planet. As usual, Jensen makes the important connections, especially showing how civilization’s spiritual and compassionate emptiness fuels the destruction. Very practical recommendations conclude the book, suggesting steps to turn this around....more

This short book of essays and poetic stories seeks to enlighten to and compel us to protect the Red Rock country of southern Utah. While a tad New AgeThis short book of essays and poetic stories seeks to enlighten to and compel us to protect the Red Rock country of southern Utah. While a tad New Agey and poetreacly, there is some good stuff here, especially about being a part of nature rather than outside it. I wonder, though, how Williams reconciles her Mormonism with the animism she seems to embrace…....more

A travel writer of a different sort, spending time in threatened places, observing the ways of life of various peoples and describing the land in an aA travel writer of a different sort, spending time in threatened places, observing the ways of life of various peoples and describing the land in an almost elegiac way. Meditative visits to the Southwest desert, Africa, Northern Canada, Basque sheepherders in Arizona, grand canyons in Mexico, a valley river in South America with the sword of a dam above its neck, and more. Slender volume short on solutions, but worth reading, certainly....more

Through his often sideways approach to research, explanation, anecdote, personal experience, and sense of empathy, Jensen details the pathology of ourThrough his often sideways approach to research, explanation, anecdote, personal experience, and sense of empathy, Jensen details the pathology of our civilization while taking on critics and defenders of the way things are. Highly recommended....more

The second volume purports to offer strategies for toppling civilization, but actually just continues the same as the first book. I think he naively sThe second volume purports to offer strategies for toppling civilization, but actually just continues the same as the first book. I think he naively swallows the claims of computer hackers when they talk about disrupting our society through computer networks, but the rest is good....more

Jensen wants to understand what hate is and he starts with a look at racial hatred by examining slavery. Along the way, he wonders at why crimes againJensen wants to understand what hate is and he starts with a look at racial hatred by examining slavery. Along the way, he wonders at why crimes against women aren't considered hate crimes, wonders if our civilization's assault on nature is about hate, and general delves into a hundred different interesting. provocative things. Hell, read the book I don't got all day to tell ya....more

A painful, unique memoir that also serves as an indicment of our culture's destructive ways. Just go read it. Be warned, it isn't pretty and can revivA painful, unique memoir that also serves as an indicment of our culture's destructive ways. Just go read it. Be warned, it isn't pretty and can revive trauma....more

I'm not a fan of PETA, but this a great book detailing the first ALF cell in the U.S.--started by an ex-cop! Inspiring and horrifying, and "Valerie" nI'm not a fan of PETA, but this a great book detailing the first ALF cell in the U.S.--started by an ex-cop! Inspiring and horrifying, and "Valerie" never got caught! (did she?)...more

Powerful delving into empire--the map of imperialism/colonialism and how it affects those a part of the invaders and those they oppress. Personal, polPowerful delving into empire--the map of imperialism/colonialism and how it affects those a part of the invaders and those they oppress. Personal, political, and engaging. You. Read. Now....more

Perhaps too short a book for the topic and "Of Political Punk" might be more accurate. It is a good introduction to political punk, if a little rosy gPerhaps too short a book for the topic and "Of Political Punk" might be more accurate. It is a good introduction to political punk, if a little rosy glasses and all that. ...more

Anthology of his writings from 1985-1995. He has an incisive and biting wit as he decontructs "plastic medicine men", "white studies", robert bly, filAnthology of his writings from 1985-1995. He has an incisive and biting wit as he decontructs "plastic medicine men", "white studies", robert bly, films, books, and the U.S. government. On indeginism, he offers compelling arguments for the return of unceded Indian lands. You read now....more

The telling is a bit disjointed, but an overall good history of the luddites and the rise of industrial capitalism. The second half of the book detailThe telling is a bit disjointed, but an overall good history of the luddites and the rise of industrial capitalism. The second half of the book details the 2nd industrial revolutions--the computer age--and this is well worth reading....more

Cogent and well-written survey of the state of Native north america. Long ons tatistics, but a critical and humane explanation of the toll on humans aCogent and well-written survey of the state of Native north america. Long ons tatistics, but a critical and humane explanation of the toll on humans and the environment on and around reservations because of continuing colonization/capitalism....more

The people interviewed in this, and what they say, will give you a good overview of what problems we face in our current civilization aYou. read. Now.

The people interviewed in this, and what they say, will give you a good overview of what problems we face in our current civilization and how we can think about them in order to find ways to solve the problems, prevent them, and transform society. A great starting point for the would-be environmentalist, a reality check for glassy eyed, greenwashed liberals, and completely necessary....more

Various essays covering aspects/concerns of eco-feminism, which, at its best, is comparable to green anarchy or deep ecology, only, you know, not maleVarious essays covering aspects/concerns of eco-feminism, which, at its best, is comparable to green anarchy or deep ecology, only, you know, not male dominated like those tend to be. It is a more complete analysis for larger liberation and seeks to make the connections between oppressions and environmental destruction while rediscovering saner ways of being from our collective past.

I found the goddess centered essays in this book annoying at best, and completely ridiculous at worst. But that's just old atheist me, you may connect with it....more

Why the co-author, Vandana Shiva isn't listed in this heading, I have no idea. Smacks of some problem, there.

Anyway, this is an awesomeYou. read. Now.

Why the co-author, Vandana Shiva isn't listed in this heading, I have no idea. Smacks of some problem, there.

Anyway, this is an awesome introduction to eco-feminism that avoids the new age crap of other anthologies and introductions. This is telling it straight, from an anarchist feminist from Germany and an indigenous activist from India. The global north-south perspectives provide a more rounded and view from the bottom-up than most eco-feminist books that tend to come solely from white, academic women in the U.S. Highly recommended....more

More somber, less detailed and sarcastic. Comes at you with some new-agey type stuff, but is actually an attempt to look at a more earth-based spirituMore somber, less detailed and sarcastic. Comes at you with some new-agey type stuff, but is actually an attempt to look at a more earth-based spirituality. Like a lot of trilogy, the last book is the weakest, but you gotta finish it....more

Next time some moron claims that you're just a dumb kid wanting to riot and don't know a thing about the WTO, IMF, or how great transnational corporatNext time some moron claims that you're just a dumb kid wanting to riot and don't know a thing about the WTO, IMF, or how great transnational corporations really are, take out this book and whap them upside the head! Well, it is kind of thin, so grab Ecofeminism instead, and then whap! away!

Shiva, here, breaks down Western reductionist views of women and nature and describes how this view enables the West to plunder the "third world" and appropriate indigenous knowledge--then claim patents and intellectual property rights. How international institutions and governments promote this theft and abuse. After pushing people, like in India, off their land in the name of the "Green Revolution" (read: monocultural industrial agriculture benefitting investors and wealthy land owners), Capital now wants to take people's traditional knowledge and sell it. Essential reading....more

The intrepid traveler and nature writer provides a collection of encounters with animals where something was learned, even exchanged. I first read anThe intrepid traveler and nature writer provides a collection of encounters with animals where something was learned, even exchanged. I first read an excerpt in The Sun magazine about encountering a crow burial ground in the deserts of southern Utah and was stoked to get the book. From bears in Alaska, to mice in a tipi in Colorado and all over the lovely southwest desert, Childs shares not only his encounters with wildlife, but also his foibles, human hubris, and animal knowledge. Very good....more

Aren't environmentalist causes taken more seriously and victories being won? So it appears, but the reality of the destruction of the earth is devest Aren't environmentalist causes taken more seriously and victories being won? So it appears, but the reality of the destruction of the earth is devestating and it is only our perceptios of how "green" is the new god that have changed. Sound familar in this age of greenwashing and "sustainable" business? The situation was no different twenty four years ago when The Natural Alien was published in 1985. Evernden isn't critiquing the failures of the environmentalist--he wants to get rid of that word, in fact--, nor is he listing the atrocities committed against nature by our rapacious culture. Instead, he argues that the world view of the environmentalist is compromised from the start and that it shares too much in common with the view of the developer, the exploiter. Evernden argues that it is Cartesian thinking (some might say civilization's worldview) that must be dismantled. So, you are now faced with a philosophy book rather than the environmental treatsie you thought you were going to get. How many times have you though that it isn't enough to change laws, change systems, change leaders, change tactics...no, we have to change minds, the way humans view the world. This is what Evernden attempts. The argument begins with a discussion of science, the Romantics, phenomenology, Heidigger, Huessrl, and much more. The main thesis of the book is that we are able to "cut the earth's vocal cords" becuase of reification: turning subjects into objects. You can have a relationship with another being--a subject--but not with an object. There is, of course, much more here and it is well worth reading. The book is entirely in the academic style, strangely. For Evernden's argument relies, in part, on the following:

1) We, as subjects (living beings), should trust our own experience over the science of experts.

2) Beings can have relationships and relationships are reciprocal.

Now, books, by their very nature, are not reciprocal, but Evernden limits himself even more with the academic style. He isn't a being to us--there are very few "i" statments, no personal information, life experiences--but the omniscient author keeping his audience (not people, objucts, object, the audience) at arm's length with the detached, reasoned, unemotional straight jacket that this academic style. One can forgive him this, of course, because if he rlied on direct personal experience instead of other books and thinkers, his work wouldn't be taken seriously by other academics. This goes for relating to the reader as well. Just as he describes the environmentalist as being trapped by mechanistic thinking, so, too, is he trapped by academic standards and this limits, a little, the effectiveness of his argument....more

Assembled with the promise of being a memoir type deal, this book is actually just essays, with only the first really being an autobiographical sketc Assembled with the promise of being a memoir type deal, this book is actually just essays, with only the first really being an autobiographical sketch. My personal favorite here was "Apologia" an elegy for the animals killed by cars on the roadways. Lopez stops when he comes across roadkill and--unlike some gross anarchists we could talk about--he buries the body as an apology and service. Read his fiction work, Resistance....more

I'm partial to partisan memoirs and autobiographies from people who were there doing the work, the protests, the struggles, and actually involved. TheI'm partial to partisan memoirs and autobiographies from people who were there doing the work, the protests, the struggles, and actually involved. There's an academic and ideological disdain for texts written by participants with a politics the establishment doesn't like, but I think that's where we can learn what was really going on.

That said, this isn't much of a memoir, though he takes us back to high school and the path through the late sixties and seventies that brought him into working on behalf of the planet. This is about those campaigns trying to stop the destruction of the environment.

Mike Roselle has been involved with defending the earth for over thirty years. He was a founder or co-founder of Earth First!, Rainforest Action Network, and the Ruckus society. He has run actions with Greenpeace and others: trying to stop a nuclear test, put a halt to illegal logging in Oregon or Idaho, stop the importation of mahagony, and much more. Through it all, he remains a humorous guy who clearly loves life. The personal bits are brief, however, as this is about inspiration. I love reading about past actions, the large and small victories, and the venality of those in power. Mike's contention is that you can't compromise away nature and nonviolent direct action --not just protests, but putting your body in the way--is the most important aspect of any campaign to save an area or even the planet.

His analysis of anarchists after the anti-WTO actions of 1999 is way off and I don't subscribe to the dictate of nonviolence in every instance, but I don't think that's important here. After all, Mike has probably done more to defend the planet than most and I appreciate it.

If you've read any Derrick Jensen before--or are paying attention at all to the real world--you know that we're fucked. Humanity is doomed and the onlIf you've read any Derrick Jensen before--or are paying attention at all to the real world--you know that we're fucked. Humanity is doomed and the only question is how much of the earth and how many species we are going to take with us when we go down.

The authors come at the inevitable through looking at our culture's waste products. Definitions, plastic, philosophies, examples--there is everything and more in here. The chapter on plastics is fucking horrifying.

It's not all terrifying, as both authors are funny, compassionate people. The book is interesting, as well. Take the stuff on recycling, for example. They contrast modern recycling with the fact that, up until recently, recycling and re-use was the norm in our society (like how everything used to be "organic" agriculture until modern chemistry came along). Not stopping with just that comparison, however, the go on to talk about a philosophy of recycling: you take in other beings to survive and you feed other beings as you live and in death.

Hefty, personal, pissed off, depressing, and essential, of course. And I haven't touched on a fraction of what gets covered.

I did like Aric McBray, the co-author. He brought a different sensibility to the book, though no less compromising....more

A nicely designed and good looking "issue" book intended to inform about world wide threats to water quality. Eschews radical solutions, but its heartA nicely designed and good looking "issue" book intended to inform about world wide threats to water quality. Eschews radical solutions, but its heart is in the right place.

I won this at the Columbia Gorge Community College Science Summit last winter and forgot to put it in here....more

There have always been some fucking monsters in this world--we don't need fictional stories to conjure them up because greed, racism, and patriotism aThere have always been some fucking monsters in this world--we don't need fictional stories to conjure them up because greed, racism, and patriotism already create them.

Pasternak writes a concise, well-researched report on the depredations of the U.S. government and uranium mining countries as they exploited Navajo land to fuel their profits and weapons supply. The neglect, recklessness, and lack of compassion shown by those entities is absolutely stunning, and the shock is all the more sharp given the straight-frward prose it is delivered by. While the tale is told with a reporter's equanimity, Pasternak's often dry, sarcastic wit easily pierces the excuses of officials and executives.

Everyone should know about this--especially now as people are still trying to argue for more nuclear power and claiming that it was our nuclear arsenal that kept us "safe" all those long years of the Cold War. Tell it to the Navajos....more

Though these are the stories that didn't fit into the magazine articles he wrote, Linden can't shed the journalistic-style--when he does, it is less lThough these are the stories that didn't fit into the magazine articles he wrote, Linden can't shed the journalistic-style--when he does, it is less like reading the New York Times and more engaging.

Civilization is killing the planet and erasing indigenous cultures worldwide and the places where this happens are the places Linden has traveled during his long career. The anecdotes, facts, encounters, science, and descriptions are often good. These are places--Easter Island, Antarctica, Africa--where I will never go, so, I have to read about them.

To his credit, he doesn't sugarcoat the dire straits caused by capitalism (while noting that communist countries were just as bad for the environment and indigenous peoples) and the last chapter talks honestly about extinctions, loss of nature, and cultural erasure. He offers up a conservation model that may help save the last forest and wild remnants across the planet, but this tiny ray of hope illuminates nothing when overshadowed by the "consumer culture" dominating and destroying the planet....more

Nickle and Dimed for food in the United States, a journalist follows how food is produced, harvested, distributed, sold, used by restaurants, and is aNickle and Dimed for food in the United States, a journalist follows how food is produced, harvested, distributed, sold, used by restaurants, and is a striking indicator of how income inequality, food history and current priorities, and how we live alter our personal and political landscapes (as well as altering regular landscapes, of course).

Fascinating, enraging, interesting, well-written, and cogent in analysis, I can recommend this to everyone.

This falters, in my opinion of course, because so many of these problems are created by somebody's need to make a profit and the solutions become workable once we remove capitalism from our organizing toolbox, but, like many the journalist before her, she doesn't identify capitalism as an obstacle (indeed, she suggests at the end that we can fix the problems and still have profits by mentioning Henry Ford and his Model T factories). Regulation, WPA style programs, and the like would be positive steps, but long term, sustainable solutions involve abandoning capitalism and this vast nation-state in favor of regional, cooperative organizing. Hey, I didn't say there are easy solutions....more